Do Modeling Firms Have A Right To Know?

I know three MtF friends, all of whom have gone into modeling. None of them have told their employers about their sexual reassignment surgery.

Is this a violation of the viewers' autonomy? Do the consumers have the right to know that the people they are looking at were not physically born women?

I understand that they may look like they were born female, but a lot of food may taste vegan as well - that does not mean I as a vegan shouldn't know what's in it.

 

No.

 

The nerve of some people's children,eh? Comparing a woman to a sandwich. I don"t really see as this person can have any friends.

 

It is not a matter of consumers knowing, it is a matter of the company who is hiring them as a representative knowing.

If they are being paid under a contract by a company and the modeling they are doing is implied in all likelihood to be representative of the companies demographic for advertising. Therefore they are in my opinion obligated to make it known. It could adversely affect sales and the reputation of their employer.

 

And let me ask you, Heat, when was the last time you applied for a job and had to show your genitals as part of your credentials?

My medical history is my business and I am a female if I say I am. What's between my legs and how long it's been there is nobody's business but mine. Regardless of the type of business I'm in.

 

I agree if you are applying for any job that does not involve your image directly then it is no ones business. I did make it clear that I do not think it is the publics business even in this case where they are modeling. I do believe it is the business of the company hiring you.

When you are hired as a model that is slightly different as you are selling your image. The company buying that service has the right to know. Not because it is wrong for anyone to make a personal choice and changes to their body but because the company is paying for an image that suits a certain demographic.

All of the sponsorships that are canceled before a contract is done are usually due to the person not living up to the image that they did project. Usually because something has either been said or shown to the public that then makes it unacceptable for that company to use their services.
While a different circumstance for sure it is those like Tiger Woods, The Barenaked Ladies and many more who failed to live up to their end of acceptable for sponsors.

If you think that it is only trans genders who are judged you are not being realistic. My sister is gay and while of course it is not ever said there are people over the years that have made things difficult just because she was, no other reason. This has been going on for longer than I have been around. A woman in corporate will not get those promotion's nor represent the firm if she does not meet what is deemed to be attractive. That is the reality so while they may not have to lift their skirt or blouse to prove it, it still happens. I have worked with some brilliant people who will not get a promotion as they do not have the look. Men also.

Your personal business is just that and I do agree. If you go into modeling it is no longer just that simple as you are selling an image. By the nature of the business you are selling a look and that look needs to be disclosed or you really have no right to later state that it is unfair if they terminate your contract.

Should looks make any difference, of course not. That is idealistic as looks always make a difference. That is just societal.

 

Definitely no.

 

Sarah is absolutely right here. Look,if there were to be a contractual breech due to a gender issue,namely misrepresentation, whats the worse that could happen? loss of a job or possibly a law suite? Maybe blackballed from the industry? The loss of a job hurts but you can always get another. a law suite would be a no win situation for the contract holder - the ACLU would see to that blackballed? That depends on what you got baby... I just saw the Isis King interviews with Opra episodes on you tube. Ckeck them out if you get a chance. She is now in demand...

 

Of course not.

Models are there for their physical and visual qualities.

If somebody has the necesssary physical and visual qualities, then they can model.

How they came by those qualities is nobody's business but their own.

Is the model who has dyed her hair, or had plastic surgery of any kind, or who isn't wearing glasses because she has had her eyes lasered, bound to disclose this? No ... and gender reassignment is no different. :sunny:

 

If I owned a modeling shop, I'd be pretty pissed to pay for a guy when I wanted a girl.

 

But that's the point, isn't it ... a post-op M to F transsexual ISN'T a guy.

It's no different from getting somebody who's had a boob job when you thought they were natural, or has had their teeth straightened and whitened, or has had a little bit of lipo.

Models are all about their looks. If they've got teh looks you want, then you hire them. If they've not, you don't. But you don't ask how they came by them ...

 

Precisely. And in many countries, a person is legally recognised as their post-operative sex. Therefore in many instances, it would not only be expecting someone to say something about themselves that they do not believe to be true (that they are "men"), it would also be unlawful. So if a modelling firm happens to exist in a place where a post op mtf transsexual is seen in the eyes of the law as a woman, then they have no right to know.

 

we have discriminatory laws - if we really value respect

let's show it both ways.

 

No, not really.

Most models are either employed via an agaency or are directly employed for their specific attributes for some reason. They will be employed in either case mainly because they suit the job in terms of their style, appearance or whatever.

I have modelled for longer womens' jeans sometimes - I was employed because I have the long, slim legs and shape required. I am a similar shape to many other slim models who are not transgender. It's not really relevant for them to know this, and I can't imagine a job where it would be necessary, frankly.

 

I place an ad in magazine.

It depicts a hot babe in bikini and a sports car.

It implies that you will get a babe when you buy the car.

Am I questioning your mental health?